Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity

of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products

by Hydrometer Method
Arthur Christian E. Solemne
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of San Carlos -
Talamban Campus, 6000 Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines
School of Engineering
<18104909@usc.edu.ph>

Abstract
This laboratory experiment used a hydrometer to calculate the density, relative density, or
API gravity of samples of both crude and liquid petroleum products. The samples were first
cooled to the hydrometer's operating temperature in a cylinder. The hydrometer was then
lowered into the samples, allowed to float there for a while, and the relative densities were
then noted. The results showed that Crude Petroleum oil has an API gravity of 20.19. As a
result, it is categorized as heavy crude oil. The API gravity of Liquid petroleum, a light crude
oil, is 42.50.

Keywords: relative density, hydrometer, petroleum

I. Introduction
In the fuel industry, a fuel's density is a crucial characteristic. The density of a fuel can be
used to determine its viscosity and energy content, among other fuel properties. Because it
may be used to determine the filled volume of a gasoline tank from a known weight, or vice
versa, fuel density is also crucial for fuel storage and transportation. Utilizing a hydrometer is
one way to determine the density of the gasoline. A hydrometer is made out of a hollow glass
or plastic tube with graduations for measuring density on one end that is bulb-shaped and
weighted by a ballast. When the fuel's surface aligns with the hydrometer, which is suspended
in the fuel to measure its density. The hydrometer is suspended in the fuel to measure the
density of the fluid at the point where the fuel's surface lines up with the hydrometer
graduation.
The density of a sample of liquid petroleum product as well as crude petroleum will be
assessed in this experiment using the hydrometer method. The Crude Petroleum Product to be
used is the Shell Helix HX5 15W-40 Motor Oil, while the Liquid Petroleum product to be used
is a Diesel Petrol Product.

II. Scope and Limitations

1. This test method covers the laboratory determination using a glass hydrometer, of the
density, relative density (specific gravity), or API gravity of crude petroleum, petroleum
products, or mixtures of petroleum and non petroleum products normally handled as
liquids, and having a Reid vapor pressure of 101.325 kPa (14.696 psi) or less.
 2. Values are measured on a hydrometer at either the reference temperature or at another
convenient temperature, and readings corrected to the reference temperature by means
of the Petroleum Measurement Tables; values obtained at other than the reference
temperature being hydrometer readings and not density measurements.

Certain factors that hinder the data gathered from this experiment would include the fact
that certain materials and apparatus were not present during the execution of this experiment.
This would include the Westphalia Balance, as well as a proper temperature bath. In this
experiment, the students used an enlarged beaker, as well as a plastic cutout from a liquid
container, improvised to serve as baths for this experiment. This, as well as difficulties in
maintaining the constant temperature bath were the two main difficulties faced during this
experiment. The results yielded from this activity however, were well within the acceptable
margin.

III. Materials and Apparatus

1. Hydrometer
2. Thermometer
3. Hydrometer cylinder
4. Constant Temperature Bath

Image 1. Experimental Setup

IV. Procedure
A. Temperature Test
1. Bring the sample to the test temperature which shall be such that the sample is
sufficiently fluid but not so high as to cause the loss of light components, nor so low
as to result in the appearance of wax in the test portion.
2. For crude petroleum, bring the sample close to the reference temperature or, if wax
is present, to 9°C above its pour point or 3°C above its cloud point or WAT,
whichever is higher.
B. Test Procedure
1. Bring the hydrometer cylinder and thermometer to within approximately 5°C of the
test temperature of the sample.
2. Transfer the sample to the clean, temperature stabilized hydrometer cylinder without
splashing, to avoid the formation of air bubbles, and minimize evaporation of the
lower boiling constituents of more volatile samples.
3. Place the cylinder containing the test portion in a vertical position in a location free
from air currents and where the temperature of the surrounding medium does not
change more than 2°C during the time taken to complete the test. When the
temperature of the test portion differs by more than 2°C from ambient, use a
constant temperature bath to maintain an even temperature throughout the test
duration.
4. Insert the appropriate thermometer or temperature measurement device and stir the
test portion with a stirring rod, using a combination of vertical and rotational
motions to ensure uniform temperature and density throughout the hydrometer
cylinder. Record the temperature of the sample to the nearest 0.1°C and remove the
thermometer/temperature measuring device and stirring rod from the hydrometer
cylinder. If a liquid-in-glass thermometer is used, this is commonly used as the
stirring rod.
5. Lower the appropriate hydrometer into the liquid and release it when in a position of
equilibrium, taking care to avoid wetting the stem above the level at which it floats
freely.
6. Allow sufficient time for the hydrometer to come to rest, and for all air bubbles to
come to the surface. Remove any air bubbles before taking a reading. If the
hydrometer cylinder is made of plastic, dissipate any static charges by wiping the
outside with a damp cloth.
7. When the hydrometer has come to rest floating freely away from the walls of the
cylinder, read the hydrometer scale reading to the nearest one-fifth of a full-scale
division
8. Immediately after recording the hydrometer scale reading, carefully lift the
hydrometer out of the liquid, insert the thermometer or temperature measurement
device and stir the test portion vertically with the stirring rod. Record the
temperature of the test portion to the nearest 0.1°C. If this temperature differs from
 the previous reading (step 4) by more than 0.5°C, repeat the hydrometer
observations and thermometer observations until the temperature becomes stable
within 0.5°C. If a stable temperature cannot be obtained, place the hydrometer
cylinder in a constant temperature bath and repeat the procedure from step 3.
C. Calculations
1. Use the following equation to convert relative density (specific gravity) readings to
density readings, and vice versa:
ρ𝑠
𝑆𝐺 = ρ𝑤

Where:
𝑆𝐺 = relative density or specific gravity of sample,
ρ𝑠 = density of sample, kg/m3, and

ρ𝑤 = density of sample, 1000 kg/m3

2. Use the following equation to convert relative density (specific gravity) readings to
API gravity:
141.5
°𝐴𝑃𝐼 = 𝑆𝐺 − 131. 5

Where:
𝑆𝐺 = relative density or specific gravity of sample,
°𝐴𝑃𝐼 = API gravity

Image 2. Experiment Execution

V. Results and Discussion
Table 1. Temperature Table
Crude Petroleum Liquid Petroleum
Description
Sample Sample

Initial temperature of hydrometer cylinder 14°C 14°C

Initial temperature of sample inside the hydrometer

25°C 27°C
cylinder

Temperature of oil after submerged in the bath 19°C 23°C

Table 2. Observed Specific Gravity Table

Trial Crude Petroleum Sample Liquid Petroleum Sample

1 0.9294 0.8165

2 0.9391 0.8145

3 0.9299 0.8085

Average 0.9328 0.8132

Table 3. Calculated Density Table

Crude Petroleum Sample Liquid Petroleum Sample

Specific Gravity 0.9328 0.8132

Calculated Density (g/cm3) 0.9320 0.8126

Table 4. Calculated API Gravity

Crude Petroleum Sample Liquid Petroleum Sample

Specific Gravity 0.9328 0.8132

Calculated API Gravity 20.19 42.50

Classification Heavy Crude Oil Light Crude Oil

Table 1 shows the temperatures of the hydrometer cylinder, the samples at the beginning of
their placement in the cylinder, and the samples following their immersion in the constant
temperature bath. The averaged specific gravities of the samples from the three trials are shown
in Table 2. The computed densities and API gravities of the two samples are shown in Tables 3
and 4, respectively.

The Crude Petroleum Sample is denser than the Liquid Petroleum sample, as seen in Tables
2 and 3. Table 4 shows that the API gravity of the Crude Petroleum sample is higher than that
of the Liquid Petroleum sample. While low API gravity suggests the reverse, high API gravity
denotes lighter and less dense oil. The Crude Oil sample is therefore denser and heavier than
the Liquid Petroleum sample, as seen in Table 4. The samples' classification according to API
gravity is also shown in Table 4. Light crude oil is defined as having an API gravity of more
than 31.1, whereas heavy crude oil is defined as having an API gravity of less than 22.3.

VI. Sample Calculations

Calculation of the average observed specific gravity (relative density) for Crude Petroleum
sample:
0.8165+0.8145+0.8085
𝐴𝑣𝑒. 𝑆𝐺𝑚 = 3
= 0. 8132

Calculation of the density of the Crude Petroleum sample (ρ𝑚) using the average specific
gravity:

ρ𝑚 = 𝐴𝑣𝑒. 𝑆𝐺𝑚 × ρ𝑤 = (0. 8132) 0. 9992( 𝑔

𝑐𝑚
3 ) = 0. 8126 𝑔
𝑐𝑚
3

Calculation of the API gravity of the Crude Petroleum sample using the average specific gravity:

141.5 141.5
𝐴𝑃𝐼𝑚 = 𝐴𝑣𝑒. 𝑆𝐺𝑚
− 131. 5 = 0.8132
− 131. 5 = 42. 50

VII. Conclusion
The experiment has successfully managed to determine the Density, Relative Density, or
API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products using the Hydrometer
Method. The end results of which can be seen in Table 4, in which we can see that the crude
oil sample, having lesser API Gravity, is far denser, and as thus is classified as Heavy crude
oil, while the Liquid Petroleum sample, having a greater API, means that it is far lighter, and is
thus classified as light crude oil.

Exercises
1. List down the common causes of an increase in an oil sample’s relative density.
a. Decrease in the oil’s temperature
b. Increase in the pressure experienced by the oil
c.Addition of density-increasing additives, such as sodium chloride, calcium
chloride, and calcium bromide.
2. How do you explain an oil sample’s decrease in density?
 An oil sample’s density may decrease if its temperature is increased, due to thermal
expansion causing the space between molecules of the oil to increase.

References
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[2] Grainger Editorial Staff, " How to Use and Read a Hydrometer," grainger.com.
https://www.grainger.com/know-how/equipment-information/kh-product-guide-how-to-use-a-h
ydrometer (accessed Dec. 6, 2021).
[3] Fitzgibbon, T, "API Gravity," mckinseyenergyinsights.com.
https://www.mckinseyenergyinsights.com/resources/refinery-reference-desk/api-gravity/
(accessed Dec. 7, 2022).
[4] International Labmate Ltd, "What is API Gravity?," petro-online.com.
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